Brother Describes Life of Fallen Mendota Heights Officer

Now, FIVE EYEWITNESS NEWS is getting a closer look at exactly who Officer Scott Patrick was, through the words and memories of his own brother.

Patrick was the second youngest of eleven siblings. He grew up on the west side of St. Paul, and as a junior in high school, he asked a girl out using a goofy application for a date that he drew up himself. His older brother, Mike Brue, said that's the kind of guy he was. That led to 26 years of marriage to his high school sweetheart, and two daughters, now 17 and 13 years old.

It all ended suddenly, and cruelly, on Wednesday.

"He's a friend, a confidant, as well as a younger brother," Brue said.

He shared a picture of he and his brother, with their wives, taken at a Twins game last Friday night.

"We just relaxed and enjoyed each other's company and kind of relished the moment," Brue said.

It was Patrick's first trip to Target Field.

"We are extremely, extremely thankful that we had that time," Brue said.

It is a memory his brother will now cherish forever.

"Scott was the type of guy that you never really took for granted and never really took for granted the time with him," Brue said.

Brue said Patrick was one of the most genuine people he has ever known.

"He touched people by being himself," Brue said.

Patrick loved his work, and being on the street.

"Everyone knew that Scott enjoyed being a cop, enjoyed being an officer -- he really felt it was a noble profession," Brue said.

Brue learned of Wednesday's shooting from Patrick's wife.

"I reached Michelle, his wife, and confirmed it. I didn't even have to -- she didn't have to say anything," Brue said. "It's just a very cold, deep place."

Brue has already been to Patrick's memorial, in the spot where he was killed, which continues to grow.

"When I see my brother's name there in little notes, or hand-scribbled things from children or adults on some flowers, it certainly hits home," Brue said.

He said the support has been deeply moving. But it fails to help Patrick's family make sense of the senseless.

"I believe that some of us will be grappling with it for many many years, and I don't know if some of us will ever quite comprehend it," Brue said.

As for the suspect in Patrick's shooting, Brian Fitch Sr., being charged on Friday, Brue said only that he is glad the legal process is moving forward.

Brue also had just one message to pass along from Patrick's wife; she is simply overwhelmed by the love and support coming from every corner of the community.

The funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, at St. Stephens Lutheran Church, located at 1575 Charlton St. in West St. Paul. A visitation will be held at the church from 2-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5.